Mud Hens 4, PawSox 1: Barnes gets little support

Tuesday

May 6, 2014 at 11:06 PM

PAWTUCKET — Matt Barnes hasn’t come close to pitching poorly in his three starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox, but he has just one win to show for his efforts.The tall right-hander from Connecticut allowed...

Kevin McNamara Journal Sports Writer kevinmcnamara33

PAWTUCKET — Matt Barnes hasn’t come close to pitching poorly in his three starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox, but he has just one win to show for his efforts.

The tall right-hander from Connecticut allowed just two runs in six innings on Tuesday night but his teammates couldn’t get untracked at the plate as the Toledo Mud Hens recorded a 4-1 win at McCoy Stadium.

Barnes, Boston’s No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, has allowed five hits and three runs in his last two starts (11 innings) but came away with a no-decision and a loss. He’s now 1-1 with a 2.25 earned run average. He threw a season-high 91 pitches on Tuesday and worked comfortably, a good sign considering he missed most of April with right shoulder inflammation.

Pawtucket’s bats were silenced by three Toledo pitchers. Starter Duane Below (3-0) earned the win as the Hens limited the Sox to six hits.

Barnes worked smoothly over the opening three innings and then stranded two base-runners in the fourth inning. After a smooth fifth, Barnes ran into trouble in the sixth inning. A single, walk and wild pitch put two runners in scoring position and after getting two outs, he allowed a double to Trevor Crowe that knocked in the game’s first two runs.

The PawSox made it 2-1 with their only run of the game in the seventh inning.

Toledo scored insurance runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to ice the game away.

Ryan’s hope

Ryan Lavarnway started his 18th game of the season at first base on Tuesday, but he says he remains a catcher, first and foremost.

Lavarnway received a phone call during the winter from Red Sox manager John Farrell encouraging him to give first base a try if he spent time at Triple A this season. He reluctantly agreed and is learning a little bit about the position every day.

“John Farrell called me in the offseason and at first I was a little cautious to go in that direction because of the effort and the work that I’ve put in behind the plate. I feel like I’m in a good place with my catching,” Lavarnway said.

Lavarnway said Farrell told him, “I’m still viewed as a catcher first and that was really important to me,” but he’s realized that the versatility will only help his marketability and add value to his team.

“I’m happy with the way it’s gone so far. Every day I feel I get a new play in the game that I’ve never had before,” he said. “It’s a new challenge and an exciting opportunity. I still consider myself a catcher first but the added versatility will only help.”

Nava catches a break

Daniel Nava had a scheduled night off on Tuesday after playing 10 straight games since coming to Pawtucket. He’ll be back in the lineup when the series with the Mud Hens resumes on Wednesday.

He’s off to a strong start at the plate, hitting in eight of the 10 games (10-for-34, .294). He has struck out 12 times in 10 games, but he’s earned six walks and is taking his turn at all three outfield positions.

“I think he’s been terrific,” manager Kevin Boles said. “He’s made adjustments with his hitting approach. The left side looks like a shorter swing path. He’s played all three outfield positions and moved well. He moves the corner outfielders for us. He’s been very engaged. He has a great attitude, great work habits.”